Just Back From: Highlights from Our 2022 Insider Journeys

As we look forward to a new year, we’re also looking back on the highlights of 2022: our most exciting and rewarding adventures around the world and the travel experiences that meant the most to you. For our Insider Journeys community, 2022 was a year brimming with exploration and connection, from inaugural trips to Saudi Arabia and Slovenia and an epic first-time voyage to Antarctica focused on promoting sustainable travel, to revisiting incredible destinations like Tangier, Mexico City, Mongolia, Jordan and Paris—as well as returning collections with beloved partners and friends, including Vogue and the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art. With over 500 open-hearted, curious trailblazers joining us for over 30 trips to 15 different countries, across six continents (here's looking at you, Australia!), we can officially say that group travel is back.

It was a record-breaking year, with our most popular trips being: 1. A hiking- and food-focused trip to the Italian Dolomites, based at the incredible Rosa Alpina mountain resort; 2. Our annual spa, meditation and spirituality retreat to Miraval in Tucson, Arizona with Omega Institute founder and coach Elizabeth Lesser; 3. A culinary exploration of Modena, Italy with Chef Massimo Bottura; 4. Behind-the-scenes studies of fashion, craftsmanship and contemporary culture in Paris and Milan with Vogue; and 5. A wellness-themed retreat to the incomparable Blackberry Farm in Tennessee with Wall Street Journal contributing editor Fiorella Valdesolo. We’ve recapped these and some of our other favorite trips from the year below, with photos and testimonials from the intrepid travelers who went on them. And to our guests and readers: Thank you for being a part of the journey this year. Because we believe that how you travel matters—and that includes who you travel with.

Curious about small-group travel? It’s not too late to join one of our adventures for 2023. Click here to learn more about the Insider Journeys program from Indagare Founder Melissa Biggs Bradley, and explore our upcoming calendar of trips here—with many more coming soon! Have a question? Talk to our team by emailing insiderjourneys@indagare.com.

Blackberry Farm Escape with WSJ. Magazine | April 2022

The Itinerary Highlights: 

• Immerse yourself in Blackberry Farm’s world-class culinary program, with dinners based on seasonal and foraged ingredients, as well as activities like an artisanal cooking demo and a farmstead tasting tour, specially hosted by renowned, Nashville-based chef Sean Brock. (You may recognize him from the sixth season of Netflix’s Chef’s Table.)
• Attend wellness lectures produced by WSJ. Magazine that focus on plant-based medicine, skin care as self-care, sleep health and finding balance, among other topics.
• Meet inspiring owner Mary Celeste Beall, whose family envisioned and created Blackberry Farm, and who will give you a behind-the-scenes tour of this special property.

Masterpieces of the Loire Valley with Page Knox | April 2022

The Itinerary Highlights: 

• With expert-guided tours led by art historian Page Knox and horticultural expert Amy Kupec Larue, have privileged entrance into the region’s most impressive châteaux, gardens and estates, including: Château de Cheverny (a showcase for French decorative arts and furnishings), Château de Chenonceau (the most-visited private château in France), Château du Clos Lucé (a 15th-century castle where Leonardo da Vinci lived and worked for the last years of his life), Château de Chambord (the most monumental of the Loire Valley castles) and Domaine du Champs de Bataille (which was restored to its full glory by famed designer Jacques Garcia). Access will include tours before these sites open to the public, meetings with estates’ owners and curators, private meals and more.
• Explore Giverny, the former home and great muse of Claude Monet. You will have the chance to explore his house and gardens, which inspired the celebrated Water Lilies series, among many other great works.
• Soak in the beauty, elegance and joie de vivre of the French countryside while staying at two gorgeous luxury hotels: Les Sources de Cheverny (a pastoral estate envisioned by Alice and Jerome Tourbier, with a spa by Caudalie) and Domaine de Primard (a historic property in Normandy that was formerly the home of actress Catherine Deneuve).

Inside Tangier: Private Houses & Gardens | May 2022

The Itinerary Highlights: 

• Spend time with legendary Italian horticulturist and writer Umberto Pasti in his villa, which contains an extensive collection of North African textiles and objects, as well as at his celebrated garden Rohuna, located in the countryside outside the city. With one of the greatest collections of botanical species in Africa, Rohuna has been recognized as a masterpiece of sustainable horticulture.
• Meet interior designer Frank de Biasi for dinner in the gorgeous riad he restored in the medina, which has been featured in international design publications.
• Enjoy special guided shopping experiences at Tangier’s top boutiques, which showcase contemporary Moroccan fashions and housewares, as well as in favorite galleries in the souk to discover antique textiles, carpets, ceramics and jewelry.

Discover Slovenia | May 2022

The Itinerary Highlights: 

• Explore the capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana, a lovable city that is one of the hippest and greenest in Europe (reminiscent of Prague, with lively bars, cafes and art galleries—without the crowds).
• Experience Slovenia’s many natural treasures—from the aquamarine Lake Bled and otherworldly, UNESCO-protected Škocjan Caves in the Karst region to the astoundingly beautiful Soča Valley—and traverse emerald green forests and glacial lakes on hikes through the Julian Alps.
• Savor the hidden-gem Brda wine region, which produces some of the world’s best orange and biodynamic wines, among other varietals, with intimate vineyard tours. Along the way, hike, forage, cook and taste with two of Slovenia’s most important culinary figures: Ana Roš (2017’s World’s Best Female Chef) and zero-waste pioneer Bine Volcic.

Stockholm Style & Design with WSJ. Magazine | June 2022

The Itinerary Highlights: 

• Get a behind-the-scenes look at the history of Swedish art and design with exclusive tours of top museums and palaces—including the National Gallery of Sweden and Drottningholm Palace—before they open to the public, in the company of expert curators and guides.
• Immerse yourself in Stockholm’s modern design scene with intimate, insider-hosted visits to premier galleries and studios. Highlights include receptions at the world-renowned Svenskt Tenn and design gallery Modernity with founder Andrew Duncanson; a visit with architect Andreas Martin-Löf in his home and studio; and a special guided visit of Fotografiska, Stockholm’s groundbreaking photography museum.
• Explore some of Stockholm’s finest cultural treasures, including a tour of the archipelago—with a stop at the Fjäderholmarna artisan islands—aboard a boat built in the 1960s for Prince Rainier of Monaco and visits to Hagaparken (with its Gustav III Pavilion) and Svindersvik Summer House. Plus: Enjoy plenty of opportunities for shopping.

Wild Mongolia | August 2022

The Itinerary Highlights: 

• Discover the capital city of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, where Buddhist monasteries sit side-by-side with modern high-rises. Expert-guided tours will introduce you to Mongolian history and art; plus, discover Mongolia’s paleontological treasures on a behind-the-scenes tour of a local laboratory to examine dinosaur fossils excavated from the field.
• Explore the villages and valleys of Bayan-Ulgii, the westernmost province of Mongolia. Dominated by the Altai Mountains, Mongolia’s highest range, this isolated area has preserved the language, culture and traditions of the Kazakh people who settled here centuries ago and are known for their impeccable textile work (there will be time to shop the markets!). Plus: Learn about the traditions of Kazakh families and nomadic tribes with immersive cultural exchanges focused on tapestry weaving, archery, falconry and horsemanship.
• Explore the stunning expanses of the Gobi Desert—home to camels, sheep, golden eagles and gazelles—while based at the Indagare-Adored Three Camel Lodge. Highlights will include trekking in Yol Valley National Park, meeting a local nomadic herding family and learning about the traditions of the desert cultures and visiting Tugrigiin Shiree, one of the most famous paleontological sites in the world, for a hands-on experience of a dig.

Paris Eternal & Extraordinaire with the ICAA | September 2022

The Itinerary Highlights: 

• Explore the neighborhoods at the core of Paris’ founding, including the historic Île de la Cité, Île Saint-Louis and the Marais, from an insider’s perspective, with your Indagare and Institute of Classical Architecture & Art hosts. Architecture and design visits will include Hotel de Lauzun, the National Archives, the Pinault Collection at the Bourse de Commerce, the Bibliothèque Richelieu and more.
• Tour with history and horticulture expert Amy Kupec Larue, who will provide unique context and access to the City of Light’s green spaces—places that have bloomed in beauty (and historical intrigue) for centuries—as well as historical sites like the newly renovated Château de Bagatelle, Hôtel de la Marine and the Châtelet theaters.
• Enjoy a private evening cruise by yacht down the River Seine to admire Paris’ most iconic monuments at night.

Hiking in the Italian Dolomites | September 2022

The Itinerary Highlights: 

• Explore the awe-inspiring landscapes of the Italian Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and develop your fitness on daily guided six-mile hikes with expert local mountaineers.
• Immerse yourself in Northern Italian culture with meals at traditional mountain lodges, or “rifugios,” and savor a tasting dinner at the three-Michelin-starred restaurant St. Hubertus, where Executive Chef Norbert Niederkofler and his team of talented young chefs serve delectable regional dishes following his “Cook the Mountain” philosophy.
• Experience one of Indagare’s favorite luxury lodges, Rosa Alpina, an Aman Resort, with unlimited access to the pampering spa and fitness facilities, as well as complimentary daily yoga classes. Rosa Alpina is a charming, family-owned and operated, 70-year-old resort, now part of the Aman portfolio, that offers luxurious accommodations and five-star service.

A Taste of Modena with Massimo Bottura and WSJ. Magazine | September 2022

The Itinerary Highlights: 

• Experience the overwhelming depth and complexity of internationally acclaimed chef Massimo Bottura’s work, in his and his collaborators’ company, with exclusive-access tasting experiences at his Modena restaurants: Franceschetta58 (a contemporary-casual restaurant), Francescana at Maria Luigia (an intimate setting with an open kitchen) and the three-Michelin-starred Osteria Francescana, voted World’s Best Restaurant in 2016 and 2018.
• Understand the history, culture, art and terroir that inspire Massimo Bottura’s culinary philosophy, in the chef’s company, with expert-guided tours throughout Emilia-Romagna, with a special focus on the region’s emblematic products, including Parmigiano-Reggiano, balsamic vinegar, Lambrusco and tortellini. You’ll have the chance to meet with the producers who are keeping ancient traditions alive—and continuing to innovate for a modern world.
• Stay at Casa Maria Luigia, the first boutique hotel by Massimo Bottura and his wife and collaborator, Lara Gilmore. In addition to offering exceptional dining, the property is a must-visit for its impressive contemporary art collection, stylish-yet-homey design and beautiful grounds.

South of France Art & Design with WSJ. Magazine | September 2022

The Itinerary Highlights: 

• Dive into the contemporary art scene evolving in the South of France with visits to the new Luma Foundation, an experimental arts and culture center; the Carrières de Lumière, which presents an immersive digital reimagination of masterworks; and the Dora Maar Artist Residency. At the same time, look back and  follow in the footsteps of the iconic artists who helped shape the image of the region—namely, Vincent van Gogh—with expert-guided tours.
• Stay at the spectacular Villa La Coste, a modern-art wonderland in a blissfully remote corner of Provence. This boutique-hotel-meets-open-air-museum packs a punch with sleek, sophisticated rooms, an on-property vineyard and hundreds of acres studded with works of art by the likes of Tadao Ando and Renzo Piano—as well as a culture center you will be able to tour privately, before it opens to the public.
• Enjoy special invitations to discuss art and garden design with such celebrated local insiders as designer Rose Tarlow, designer Pierre Yovanovitch and author Bernadette Murphy.

Beyond the Wall: A History of Berlin with Jamie Sewell | September - October 2022

The Itinerary Highlights: 

• Learn about the history of Berlin on a deeper level through intimate, private tours with local scholar and archaeologist Jamie Sewell. You’ll trace the growth of the city from its ancient and medieval roots, through the Imperial era and the Third Reich, to the end of the Cold War, as Jamie Sewell provides unique context at such sites as the Brandenburg Gate, the Holocaust Memorial and the Berlin Wall.
• Explore the rich legacy of Western European art—and its ancient predecessors—with private tours at the the Neue Nationalgalerie and Museum Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Enjoy a unique day trip to Potsdam, which was the seat of the Prussian royal family for centuries and is home to over 20 spectacular palaces, as well as gardens. It was also the site of the fated conference that was held between Stalin, Churchill and Truman at the conclusion of World War II.

Discover Saudi Arabia: The Trailblazers Edition | September - October 2022

The Itinerary Highlights: 

• Be among the early foreign travelers to explore Saudi Arabia, at a moment when the nation is poised on the precipice of transformation. In the company of an Indagare representative and local experts on the ground, you will learn about some of the projects that are creating a new destination for adventurers and intellectuals, while celebrating the deep traditions, wild landscapes and historic sites that make Saudi Arabia such a time-bending, complex place.
• Spend three nights in AlUla, Saudi’s undisputed—and rapidly growing—culture hub, with accommodations at the desert-chic tented camp Habitas. In addition to sampling the crafts and internationally competitive cuisine of the charming Old Town, you will also get to tour some of Middle East’s most impressive archaeological sites, which rival Petra, the Parthenon or Machu Picchu—but have none of the crowds.
• Visit Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, and get a behind-the-scenes preview of the tourism development boom that is underway in the city—and beyond—as part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030, an ambitious plan to transition the kingdom into a top travel destination.

A Fashion Lover's Milan with Vogue | October 2022

The Itinerary Highlights: 

• Go behind the scenes at legendary Italian fashion houses, where you will explore their archives and ateliers and meet with designers and muses—and discover the secrets of Italian craftsmanship.
• Experience a private tours of the Armani/Silos Museum and Fondazione Prada, two of the finest art and fashion collections in Europe.
• Immerse yourself in Milanese history and culture with tours of top monuments like Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper and a hands-on cooking class at La Cucina Italiana cooking school.

Vogue and others were so kind and helpful. Special kudos to Melissa, Katherine and Willow!"

"I loved the behind-the-scenes visits, the shopping, the tour of Lake Como, the visit to Ratti, the special evening dinners at beautiful restaurants and the cooking class at La Cucina. I loved it all!"

"We were thrilled to be exposed to so many things we would never have seen if we hadn’t gone with Indagare. We learned a lot and enjoyed introductions to both the people and new experiences."

"I feel that the trip was organized beautifully… Perfect hotel location, great balance between scheduled outings and free time, and the delicious meals were really well-coordinated. Everyone was so friendly, and I felt it was a happy vibe with no pressure to do it all. The Indagare team was incredibly professional and wonderful."

Discover our 2023 trip to Milan with Vogue here.

A Fashion Lover's Paris with Vogue | October 2022

The Itinerary Highlights: 

• Go behind-the-scenes at legendary French fashion houses, where you will explore their archives and ateliers and meet with designers and muses.
• Stay at Le Bristol, the iconic palace hotel and one of Indagare’s favorites—as well as the top pick of many fashion editors and designers.
• Connect with fellow fashion lovers and industry influencers over cocktail receptions and meals at stylish private venues and top restaurants.

Magical Morocco: Marrakech & the Atlas Mountains | October 2022

The Itinerary Highlights: 

• Explore the former retreat of Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé in the famous Majorelle Garden, a masterpiece of botanical design—and one of Marrakech’s most beautiful and significant landmarks. You’ll also tour the Yves-Saint Laurent Museum, which opened in October 2017 and traces the life and work of the designer and celebrates his connection to Marrakech.
• Immerse yourself in the culture of Morocco with shopping in the souks, a tagine cooking class and an excursion into the entrancing Desert d’Agafay.
• Experience the ancient history and natural majesty of the Atlas Mountains with two nights at Richard Branson’s beloved retreat Kasbah Tamadot, a truly exquisite property that offers such activities as hiking, village visits, spa treatments and more.

Best of India | October 2022

The Itinerary Highlights: 

• Immerse yourself in the beauty and inspiration of India through once-in-a-lifetime experiences in Delhi, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Jaipur and Agra—the perfectly balanced itinerary for a first-time India visitor.
• Gain context through expert-guided architecture and history-focused tours that showcase the most iconic monuments of India, including palaces, forts, temples and gardens.
• Enjoy special guided shopping experiences in markets, ateliers, boutiques and workshops that will allow you to peruse an incredible array of jewelry, home goods and textiles, featuring both traditional and innovative interpretations intended to give you a glimpse of the richness and diversity of Indian craftsmanship.

Discover Qatar: Jewel of the Arabian Gulf | October 2022

The Itinerary Highlights: 

• Spend five nights discovering Qatar’s capital, Doha, with special access to the events and exhibitions of Qatar Creates—an annual celebration of art, fashion, design, culture and architecture through a weeklong series of programs including fashion shows, installations, tours, workshops and panel discussions.
• Enjoy VIP art and design touring, with the chance to see works by such icons as Richard Serra, Olafur Eliasson and Ernesto Neto. Visits will include Doha’s National Library and the Museum of Islamic Art, which was designed by I.M. Pei and houses nearly 2,000 years’ worth of Islamic art from around the Middle East.
• Visit Liwan—Qatar’s first girls’ school, which today serves as design studios and artist labs. Here, you’ll be welcomed for a panel on women’s entrepreneurship in the Middle East, featuring two leading female Qatari creatives. You’ll also explore Doha Fire Station—a contemporary art space and residency—and Katara, the largest cultural project in Qatar.

Antarctica Awaits | November 2022

The Itinerary Highlights: 

• Visit Antarctica like never before possible aboard the brand-new Quark Expeditions Ultramarine. Sail aboard a state-of-the-art polar-travel vessel (equipped with two twin-engine helicopters), which offers a robust portfolio of adventure activities and luxurious, modern suites, breathtaking public spaces, and more outdoor wildlife-viewing spaces than any other expedition ship of its size.
• Enjoy zodiac sailing excursions, hiking trips and helicopter flight-seeing over the true final frontier of Planet Earth: the White Continent. As you check this item off of your Bucket List, you can marvel at giant icebergs rising out of the ocean, orca whales on the hunt, and charming penguins as they build their rookeries across the snow—and much more—all while enjoying expert guidance from biologists, glaciologists, and historians, who will provide essential context regarding Antarctica’s wildlife and ecology.
• Travel in good conscience, knowing that your entire trip has been set up as a carbon-neutral expedition, designed by our team with special care to reduce unnecessary energy waste. Additionally, a portion of the trip’s cost will go towards supporting Indagare’s conservation and environmental initiatives to protect vulnerable environments like Antarctica all around the world. Click here to learn more about the Indagare Impact Program.

"It felt like a true adventure—going somewhere few humans get to be. I loved our experiences and activities, and getting out into the environment as much as we did."

"Speechless! The heli-flight is a MUST! The polar plunge was super and it left you reenergized. Taking in the majesty of the landscape, you are left in awe of the amazing things God created. No video or photo can represent the beauty of it all! Team Albatross is the best!"

"I have so many favorites memories. Being so close to the Minke Whale in our zodiac that we actually looked eye-to-eye; kayaking in the ice and by icebergs; the polar plunge; every time we got to be near penguins; zodiac tours of the icebergs!"

"[My favorite part was] the expertise of the expedition guides. They were truly fantastic. The camaraderie of the other people on the trip."

"It was incredible. I loved all the people we met and the sense of adventure we had."

From Indagare Founder and Trip Host Melissa Biggs Bradley: "One of the great advantages of coming to Antarctica in their spring is to be surrounded by snow and ice. The infinite shapes of icebergs and glaciers in the world’s largest nature reserve has led some to call it the world’s largest natural art gallery."

Related: Just Back From Antarctica with White Desert

Curious about small-group travel? It’s not too late to join one of our adventures for 2023. Click here to learn more about the Insider Journeys program from Indagare Founder Melissa Biggs Bradley, and explore our upcoming calendar of trips here—with many more coming soon!